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10 Ex-American Idol Contestants Sue Alleging Racism

10 ex-'Idol' contestants sue, alleging racism

Fox and "American Idol's" production company, FremantleMedia, have declined CNN's request for comment on the lawsuit.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Ten former "Idol" contestants have sued, alleging racial bias

The suit says the contestants were targeted for ridicule and public dismissal

The plaintiffs are seeking $25 million each in damages

Fox and "Idol" producers have declined to comment

(CNN) -- Fox's longtime singing competition "American Idol" is embroiled in a lawsuit brought by 10 African-American former contestants who say they were unfairly dismissed from the show because of their race.

Their complaint was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that "American Idol" producers unlawfully acquired information about contestants' criminal backgrounds for both black and white contestants but then used whatever they found solely against black finalists. If the arrest records of white "Idol" finalists were made public, the suit alleges that they conversely were "championed as models of redemption."

The suit accuses the producers of using criminal background checks to "systematically disqualify and publicly humiliate" black "Idol" finalists as a ratings ploy, perpetuating stereotypes along the way. It contends that while there "were three times as many White (or non-black) contestants featured on 'American Idol'" since it began in 2002, "there has never been a single White (or non-black) contestant disqualified" from the series.

Fox and "Idol" production company FremantleMedia have so far declined CNN's request for comment.

In an interview with CNN, Jones said he had a "really good experience" as a contestant, although he disagrees with the way he was kicked off the show.

"I think that they handled (the situation) the way they wanted to handle the situation. Do I agree with it? Of course not. I would love to have been on the show to be able to compete," Jones said. "But you know I take the highs and the lows, the good and the bad."

When he was asked to be a part of the lawsuit, Jones said he declined. "I'm grateful for the whole experience. You know, the good parts, the bad parts -- it all made me who I am, and it helped enhance and cultivate me as a person (and) as a musician, as an artist, as a performer. I'm just moving forward."

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